Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-04
nuE ASSEMBLY,

The House was called to order at u NJ. by
Frank D. Ryan, Clerk of the last session. The
roll prepared by the Secretary of State was
called, and all answered but Bost of Merced
and Brown of San Francisco. Prayer was of
fered by Rev. Ca roll NJ. Davis.
Mathews of Tehama, in view of the fact that
some of the members had failed to bring with
them their credentials moved that the roll-call
as prepared by the Secretary of State be de-
clared official. and all whose names appeared
thereon be allowed to take the oath of office.
Carried.
The names were called by districts, five at a
time and the members took the oath of office,
| which was administered to them at the Speak
er's desk by Hon. W. C. Van Fleet, Superior
Judge of Sacramento county.
The standing rules of last session were
adopted, on motion of Mathews of Tehama.
The next thing in order was the nominations
placed in nomination. W. FL. Jordan, or Ala
media. He paid high compliment 10 Jordan
speaking i'll eloquent and eulogistic terms of his
standing in society, his ability as lawyer,
whose keen discernment and unswerving dis
position to act honestly and justly on all oc-
casions. peculiarly fitted him for the position.
J. H. Mathews, of san Benito, said: A motion
| to adjourn is always in order desire to ask
| the majority of the House to consent to an adj
journment until 10 A. NJ. Tuesday, in order to
allow the Democracy, which was in the
minority, an opportunity to select those from
their ranks whom they. y.desire to honor with Il
nomination. We are well aware Of the fact
that the Republicans will organize the House.
Inc coveted DTlLes are all NOuIs, ll1GN dDONG
and beyond our reach. Still we, as men, desire
to honor some of our party by placing them be-
fore this House for the different positions. 1t is
| a modest request, one that should be extended
for the asking, and low move you, sir, that
this House adjourn until 10 A. NJ Tuesday.
The motion received several seconds.
Knox of Los Angeles said if the Democrats
only wanted few hours to compare notes. he
did not think a Republican on the floor would
object. He moved to amend by taking an ad
iournment until 7:SO P. NJ. This received several
seconds.
Variel moved as a substitute that when we
adjourn we do so until 7:30 p. NJ.
Mathews said he would accept the amend
ment of Mr.. Knox. The latter, with the consent
of his seconds, withdrew his amendment.
Jordan of Alameda said he thought the House
should at once proceed with and complete its
organization. The Republican members had
met in caucus, had agreed upon their candi-
dates and were ready for business. If the
Democracy had not done so the fault was their
own, and not chargeable to the majority.
Marion Brooks of Ventura said he was some
what surprised at the action of the Republican
members, who insisted upon such hasty action.
He could see no reason for forcing the minority
to q vote at this time. All the Democracy asked
was for a few moments time for consultation.
You have sprung this thing upon us so suddenly
that we have been caught mapping.
Mathews of Tehama said such action was I'M
usual; and not extending the customary cour-
tesy usually given the minority. If there was
anything to be gained by immediate action no
doubt some reason could be assigned for it. He
understood that the Republicans had only par
TALLY caucused on nOminees-had in reality
only agreed upon the Speaker and Chief Clerk
In view of that fact be could see no valid reason
why the request of the minority should be
ignored.
Wright of Stanislsus was in favor of the ad-
journment. 1t had been the usual custom for
Legislatures to meet and adjourn before per-
fecting an organization. The precedent-Gnd a
good one, too-had thus been established. The
d mocracy took that view of it, and are not
pubiicans. We, as Democrats do not wish to
take your sugar plums but we do ask, and do
think, you ought to allow MS the privilege of
presenting to this House our choice for the diff
ferent positions.
F. L. Coombs said the sessions of the Legisla-
ture were limited by law to sixty days. There
was no reason why the first day of the session
should be frittered away. The Democracy know
the law-at least it is supposed that they do
and that says the Legislature shall convene at
u O'Clock, organize and proceed to business
The Democracy say they have not had time to
caucus. What have they been doing for the
past three months? What were they doing last
night and this morning, when they were all in
this city To come in here at this time and
plead for an adjournment, and claim that snap
judgment has been taken upon them, is simply
pleading the baby act They ought to be pre-
pared to proceed with business. and il they are
not prepared the State at large should not be al
lowed TO suffer for their acts OF omission.
L. s. Taylor said he hoped the House would
not adjourn. If the Democracy had no candi-
dates TO " trot OUT the Republicans had scores
of them; they could have their pick of the flock
and vote for any Republican they chose.
Hart of Colusa said If there was any necessity
for an organization at this time he certainly
should not oppose it. Neither would he oppose
it If he was assured that the Republicans them
| selves were ready to proceed with and complete
the organization. All the minority desired was
to get together fifteen or twenty minutes and
agree upon candidates. We understand. of
course that We are in the enemy's camp: but,
at the san time, there are eourtesies that the
majority can lily afford to deny us.
After some further debate OF similar charac-
ter the substitute was adopted by a strict party
vote-eyrs Il, noes 3S.
Smythe moved TO adjourn. Lost-ayes 3s,
noes Al.
Smythe moved to take recess until4P.N
Marion Brooks made a strong appeal for the
recess. He said, addressing the Republican
members: - What is the cause what is the rea-
son, of denying the minority of the House the
privilege of a conference of fifteen minutes
Are you afraid wesare going to cave anyone
down the bank2'
on roll call the motion was lost by vote of
ayes 3S, noes IL.
After some further discussion, and consulta-
ton among the leaders of the TWO parties il
was agreed 10 elect n Speaker, and then take a
recess until 7:30 P. n.
Allen Henry, of Butte, placed in nomination
for Speaker of the House Judge Heath OF
| Santa Barbara, paying him a very high compli-
nent.
j. f. Mathews, of San Benito, seconded the
nomination of Judge Heath, who he said was
Pioneer of California: one who had done
much TO assist in the development Of this State;
worthy. citizen, one eminently qualified for
the position.